Brazil's São Paulo state governor Geraldo Alckmin has authorized the start of a 78.1mn-real (US$48.6mn) project to build the state's Piracicaba beltway, according to a state government release.

Falling under the state's highway concessions program, the work will take place in the city of Piracicaba approximately 160km northwest of state capital São Paulo.

The beltway will link state highways SP-308 and SP-127. Work involves building 9km of two-lane roads and two bridges over the Piracicaba river. The beltway is expected to serve 12,000 vehicles each day.

Work is being carried out by highway operator Concessionária Rodovias do Tietê. The concessionaire is formed of Portuguese firm Opway Engenharia, local firm Leão & Leão, and Cibe Participações, which includes the Bertin group and Equipav.

The tollroad is scheduled for completion by April 2013.

In related news, the São Paulo governor also authorized the start of a 27.5mn-real tender to widen a 5.5km stretch of state highway SP-308 between the municipalities of Piracicaba and Charqueada.